Marco Crisciotti China increases mangrove cover with several effective conservation strategies. An ecological success that protects the coasts and biodiversity.
China has emerged a victor in one of the most difficult fights in the preservation of the environment, and it’s achieving this by introducing a string of national programs for expanding mangrove forests. While other countries battle to delay the loss of such precious ecosystems, Beijing has moved in the opposite direction by increasing the area covered by such valuable beach plants. Behind this project is a scrupulous dedication, a clearly established strategy, and a vision that unites environmental protection with sustainable development.
A measurable ecological success
According to data released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (Chinese government department that oversees the administration and regulation of forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, and terrestrial wildlife for the Ministry of Natural Resources) on World Wetlands Day, the total cover of mangroves in China has increased to 74,900 acres from an increase of approximately 20,500 acres since the turn of the century. In real world terms, that means more wildlife habitat, better coastal protection, and a greater biodiversity.
The country has also planted more than 21,700 acres of new mangroves and rehabilitated 20,300 acres of degraded forests in the past five years. The result? A resilient ecosystem that cleans seawater, reduces storm damage, and provides a sanctuary for hundreds of animal species.
Mangroves: green sentinels against climate change
We’ve discussed mangroves on several occasions, highlighting their crucial role in the coexistence between humans and nature. They serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion, flooding, and rising sea levels. Nicknamed “coast guards,” they perform several essential functions: purifying water, protecting coastlines from waves, and hosting a rich and diverse ecosystem. In a world rapidly heading toward climate uncertainty, mangroves offer an effective, long-term solution.
Given their strategic value, China has preferred to invest large sums in their conservation. The establishment of 903 national parks for wetlands covering over 5.9 million acres is tangible proof of this investment. More than 2,200 nature reserves now protect various sites of significance, so that the mangrove regeneration is not a report statistic, but a tangible, actual reality.
The Dongzhaigang case: the rebirth of biodiversity
In the province of Hainan, within the Dongzhaigang Nature Reserve, the return of the yellow-billed egret provides the strongest evidence of the efficiency of conservation programs. Locals are more than happy to demonstrate how the birds, once scarce, have returned to the area, tanning the sky with brushstrokes that had faded away for long.
It is all thanks to numerous restoration activities: excavation for better drainage, seeding with seedlings, and invasive species management. This well-planned and continuous endeavor has increased the bird species population from 180 to over 200. It’s a virtuous cycle that shows that conservation is not just an obligation, but an investment that pays off.
An ambitious action plan
The expansion of mangrove forest cover is not by chance, but as a result of a well-planned strategy. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration have carried out extensive research since 2019 to identify the most suitable places for reforestation.
One of the key documents engaged in this initiative is the “Special Action Plan for the Protection and Restoration of Mangroves (2020-2025),” based on which it has mapped out to develop and restore 46,500 acres of mangrove by 2025. Participating provinces have been instructed unequivocally not to sacrifice protection of the ecosystem at the altar of economic demands of locals.
Balancing protection and development
Balancing development and conservation is always a difficult task. But China is trying its best to find a balance for both needs. On the one hand, it has included mangroves and their associated wetlands in the “red lines” of environmental protection, and therefore they can no longer be utilized as collateral for industrial ventures. On the other hand, it is piloting management regimes where local residents can economically benefit from these habitats through sustainable tourism and regulated fishing.
Over the past decade, the national government has invested in 13 “Blue Bay” reclamation projects specifically targeted at mangrove conservation. Locally, governments have stepped up investments, with an understanding that the future of coastal communities lies in the integrity of natural systems.
A model for the world?
In the midst of a worldwide trend in which many countries are losing their mangrove forests to urbanization and climate change, China is demonstrating that it is possible to reverse the trend. Scientific research combined with rigorous controls and local residents’ involvement are yielding concrete results.
